Media release – Felix Ellis, Liberal Member for Braddon, 23 February 2024
Supporting Tasmanians who own Antique Firearms
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will make changes to antique firearms laws to ensure that antique gun owners are able to safely store their weapons while respecting the value that these antique pieces offer.
“We have listened and accept that the changes that were introduced recently do not get the balance right”, Minister Ellis said.
“We recognise that antique firearms rendered incapable of being fired are often valuable heirlooms, passed down generations, or collected for their historical value.”
Accordingly, a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will amend the law relating to antique firearms:
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There will be no licensing requirements, and no requirement to do a firearms safety course;
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Antique firearms manufactured prior to 1 January 1900 will only need to be registered with Tasmania Police;
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Owners will simply need to provide contact details, information about the type of firearm and where and how it is stored;
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There will be no requirement for engraving or stamping of the antique weapon;
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The process will be 100 per cent free; and
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If it is to be displayed, there will be display requirements including that the firearm must safely be secured in a rack or in a locked display cabinet that is fitted with glass or other material of sufficient strength to prevent theft.
These rules will apply to an antique firearm that was manufactured prior to 1 January 1900, is not designed to discharge cartridge ammunition, and for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available.
“An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to support law abiding firearms owners and keep Tasmanians safe from firearms crime, and we believe that this change strikes that balance”, Minister Ellis concluded.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 23 February 2024
Rockliff Must Intervene on Ellis’ Plan to Weaken Gun Laws
The Greens condemn the Liberals’ shocking announcement they will be overriding police advice and winding back gun laws.
The Police Commissioner was clear, antique firearms ammunition hasn’t been available, but technological advancement means it now is. The police also rightly said, “a firearm can be used to intimidate or threaten, regardless of whether it can be fired. That’s why replica firearms are not legal”.
Police are just requiring antique firearms owners to get a licence and go through a fit and proper persons test, like every other gun owner.
Felix Ellis’ announcement he will be steamrolling the Police Commissioner on firearms is disturbing and repugnant.
This is pure politics ahead of community safety. Jeremy Rockliff must intervene immediately.
Why should people with violent or criminal backgrounds be allowed to own firearms that are capable of being fired without any licence or background check?
Once again, the Liberals have buckled to the gun lobby at election time. In 2018 they secretly promised to breach core parts of the National Firearms Agreement, including lowering the age of firearms’ licences to 16 years.
After exposing their secret election promise in 2018, the Greens successfully pushed for a Firearms Inquiry. It was flooded with submissions, and concluded that Tasmanians – quite rightly – want strong gun laws to keep our community safe.
The police are on the frontline when it comes to illegal firearms. They are the ones fighting criminal gangs, and standing up against people using firearms to threaten and harm.
We should listen to the police when they say we need tighter gun ownership laws. For the Liberals to undermine this in an election period is irresponsible, and will put lives at risk.
Media release – Shane Broad, Labor Member for Braddon, 23 February 2024
Tasmanian Labor will match Liberals on antique gun laws
A Tasmanian Labor Government will match the Liberals’ commitment to amend the law and ensure antique gun owners can keep their firearms without having to obtain a gun licence and comply with other recent changes.
Labor will ensure that there are no licensing or firearm safety course requirements, antique firearms manufactured before 1 January 1900 will only need to be registered with Tasmania Police, and we will match the other commitments relating to storage of the weapons.
The fact is that these changes should never have been made in the first place and it is completely disingenuous for Minister Felix Ellis to once again wait until an election to listen to antique gun owners and finally act on their concerns.
Mr Ellis has made so many missteps and backflips in his time as Minister and this is just one more.
After 10 years of a Liberal Government, Tasmanians know this government doesn’t listen to them.
It’s time for a better future and Tasmanian Labor will deliver that by listening to Tasmanians and acting in their best interest.
